From E. W. Black 13 August 1877
East Riverside, Fayette Co., Pa | U.S.A.
August 13th. ’77.
Mr. Charles Darwin, F. R. S.,
Respected Sir:
enclosed please find specimens of flowers of the common American milk-weed, (Asclepias Syriaca) with entrapped insects, which may be of interest to you on account of its bearing on the habits of plants in regard to fertilization, and hence on the theory of Evolution.1 As you will observe, the insects are of different species—although, from the lateness of the season, my specimens are rather meagre—and I have repeatedly seen many kinds not herein represented hanging dead to the flowers of this plant, and among them even the ingenious and comparatively stout hive-bee. (Apis Mellifica)2 The Bitter-Root or Jordian Hemp, a plant with closely similar flowers, has the same habit though it appears less successful in affecting a capture, as the victims are far more rare than in the case of the former plant.3 They are both quite common here, abounding in moist places in both high- and lowlands. Should you desire to communicate in regard to anything in this part of the world I will be happy to inform you on any subject of which I may have any knowledge.
Hoping to hear from you soon in regard to the bearing of the specimens on the above theory, etc., I remain, | Your Obedient Servt., | E. Willson Black.
Footnotes
Bibliography
Origin: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859.
Summary
Encloses specimens of milk-weed with trapped insects. Indian hemp catches insects in the same way but with less success.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-11104
- From
- Evans Willson Black
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Fayette County, Pa.
- Source of text
- DAR 160: 190
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11104,” accessed on 24 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-11104.xml